Major city · Japan
Seki関
Half a day is enough to browse knife shops and visit the Cutlery Museum; combine with Sekigahara or Gifu for a full day trip from Nagoya.
Seki is a small city in Gifu Prefecture, known for centuries of sword-making and now the source of Japan's best kitchen knives. The main draw is the compact knife district around the station, where you can watch craftspeople, buy direct, and visit the Seki Cutlery Museum. Most travellers stop for 2–4 hours on the way between Nagoya and Takayama or Gifu and Gujo.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, fewer demonstrations)
- Airport
- NGO
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Seki110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Seki, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNGO Chubu Centrair (Meitetsu limited express to Nagoya, then JR Takayama Line to Mino-Ōta, transfer to Nagaragawa Railway to Seki; about 2 h total).
- Getting aroundWalkable: the knife district, museum and main shops are within 15 minutes of the station.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealSoba or ramen¥800–1,200 (≈ US$6–9)
- BeerBeer (can at convenience store)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from station to Route Inn¥1,000 (≈ US$7)
- Museum or sight ticketKitchen knife (entry-level)¥3,000–10,000 (≈ US$25–70)
- Budget bedHostel bed in Gifu or Nagoya, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room in Gifu, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room in Gifu, a night, per room¥35,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥10,000 (≈ US$70) · High ¥18,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NGO Chubu Centrair (Meitetsu limited express to Nagoya, then JR Takayama Line to Mino-Ōta, transfer to Nagaragawa Railway to Seki; about 2 h total)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Seki: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable: the knife district, museum and main shops are within 15 minutes of the station. A taxi to the Route Inn or farther workshops is about ¥1,000.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Nagaragawa Railway to Mino-Ōta, then JR Takayama Line to Sekigahara; about 40 min
Battlefield site and museum; combine with Seki for a full day.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Nagaragawa Railway to Mino-Ōta, then JR to Gifu; about 50 min
Gifu Castle and cormorant fishing; a natural pair with Seki.
Door to door: About 40 min
Nagaragawa Railway direct; about 30 min
Old town with a wooden castle; easy half-day add-on.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Nagaragawa Railway to Mino-Ōta, then JR Takayama Line; about 2 h
Too far for a day return; stay overnight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Seki Station
Only a few hotels; most visitors stay in Gifu or Nagoya and day-trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–15,000 (≈ US$55–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room in Gifu1 × 1 night × ¥15,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥10,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Nagaragawa Railway round trip from Mino-Ōta2 × ¥1,000 · check | ¥2,000 |
| Cutlery Museum entry2 × ¥500 · check | ¥1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥3,800 |
| Trip total≈ ¥20,900 per person per day, bed included | ¥41,800≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Soba or ramen | ¥800–1,200 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Beer (can at convenience store) | ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Kitchen knife (entry-level) | ¥3,000–10,000 (≈ US$25–70) |
| Cutlery Museum entry | ¥500 (≈ US$4) (check) |
| Taxi from station to Route Inn | ¥1,000 (≈ US$7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Many knife shops close by 17:00; plan your visit for the morning or early afternoon.Many knife shops close by 5:00 PM; plan your visit for the morning or early afternoon.
- Factory tours often require a reservation; check with the Seki Sightseeing Association.
- Cash is preferred at smaller workshops; larger shops accept cards.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Seki関
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US consulate in Nagoya covers Gifu; most other countries have consulates in Osaka or embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Nagaragawa Railway Seki → Mino-Ōta: about ¥500 (≈ US$4), 15 min (check)
- Taxi Seki Station → Route Inn: ¥1,000 (≈ US$7)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- この包丁はいくらですか？ — How much is this knife? (kono hōchō wa ikura desu ka)
- 作業を見学できますか？ — Can I watch the workshop? (sagyō wo kengaku dekimasu ka)
- 博物館はどこですか？ — Where is the museum? (hakubutsukan wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Seki. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, fewer demonstrations) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the Cutlery Museum and top knife shops with hours and workshop schedules.
- Eat pages for soba and kushikatsu restaurants near the station.
- Walking route from Seki Station through the knife district (1.5 km loop).
Sources
Ask about Seki
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